Poem in honor of Earth Day - Dirt

Market basket photo by Valerie Craig

        

ODE TO DIRT

                                   (Inspired by WDR)  

Dirt! Dirt! Marvelous Dirt!

What would we do if dirt were dearth?

On this lovely green home – our glorious earth?

Would there be trees or swarms of bees?

Or birds that sing in the morning breeze?

And where would snowflakes land in a freeze?

And would we have fruits ever so sweet 

Apples, peaches, and cherries to eat? 

From which we make pies that are a real treat?

And what about vegetables of all shapes and sizes

Including pumpkins of such astounding sizes

That at county fairs they win blue ribbon prizes?

Could we even breathe if dirt were dearth?

Or ever laugh with joy and mirth

As we enjoy foods that expand our girth?

What about wiggly worms - so like small sperms

Crawling through the ground, out of sight and sound -

Enriching the soil by the inch and pound?

This dirt of all kinds, from light sand to dark loam

Provides all seeds with a snug and safe home

In spring’s sunlight these bloom, banishing gloom.

When we think about dirt – all the goodness it brings

That allows us to stand as tall as kings

Holding us down so we don’t need wings.

So consider a planet without dirt under our feet.

Hard to imagine anything so sweet

With so many benefits – an amazing feat.

So here’s to dirt that keeps us alive!

Without which we could never survive, 

That allows us all to happily thrive.

Let’s have it for dirt! Let’s raise a toast -

And even to boast -

Because dirt’s truly the most.

Gini Paulsen

Shoreline, WA